Pocket lighter



Patented Nov. 19, 1929 UNITED srArr-zs PATENT ounce owns 3. Hum, 01? rnovrnmrcn, mronn ISLAND, assreivon 'ro anx mmuracrunmecomraur, or rnovrnnncn, nnonn rsmnn, a conrom'rrou or RHODE- ISLAND POCKET LIGHTER Application filed February 18, 1928. Serial 1T0. 255,299.

This invention relates to a pocket lighter of the type using pyrophoric material and a friction wheel for ignition purposes; and

has for its object to provide a construction 5 for mounting the different operating parts of the lighter so as to positively position these parts with reference to another to insure an accurate cooperation thereof.

A further object of the invention is to fold in inwardly portions of the top plate to form an increased bearing for the different operating parts as they extend through the top plate into the fuel tank to better support the same and afford an increased soldering surface. E

A still further object of the invention is the aligning of the different operating parts carried by the fuel tank so that the tank may be made exceedingly thin to take up the minimum amount of room in the vest pocket of the user.

With these and other objects in view, the

invention consists of certam novel features of construction, as will be more fully de- 26 scribed, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings: I

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the lighter on an enlarged-scale.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the top plate.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the top plate inverted and looking at the under side thereof.

lFig. 4 is a side elevation of the pyrophoric tu e.

Fig. 5 is a central sectional view through the same taken at right angles to the position of the. tube shown in Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the hinge post for mounting the snufl'er arm.

Fig. 7 is a central sectional View of the same.

Fig. 8 is a side elevation of the wick tube. Fig. 9 is a fra mental view with the top plate in section sliowing the different parts of the operating mechanism mounted therein. Fig. 10 is a central sectional view through the lighter with the parts in assembled po- 60 sition'.

Fig. 11 is a fragmental detail partly in sec tion showing the pyrophoric tube mounted in the top plate.

Fig. 12 is an elevation of the lighter in full size showing the actual thickness thereof.

It is found desirable in the construction of pocket lighters to provide a construction by which the parts may be easily assembled and held in the definite fixed relation in wh ch it-is desired that they be soldered in position so that the hinged snuifer arm will positively close over the wick to seal the same a ainst evaporation and a guard thereon Wlll protect the friction wheel, which I have accomplished by forming an integral collar about the opening through which the tubes or posts extend to guide and better support them, and I have aligned the operative parts of the lighter so that the-same may be formed extremely thin to take up the minimum amount of space in the vest pocket of a user; and the following is a detailed description of the present embodiment of'the invention illustrating one construction by which these advantageous results may be obtained:

With reference to the drawin s, 15 designates a tubular body portion of t e fuel tank which has suitably secured thereto a bottom plate 16 having a fuel-filling opening 17 closed by a'stopper 18 having a pocket 19 for extra flints, if desired. The top plate has openings 20, 21 and 22 therein which are formed by cutting the stock of the plate and bending the same inwardl 1 to form collar bearings 22, 23 and 24 which are generally cylindrical in shape and of a size to receiye different operating parts of the lighter as will be hereinafter ex -lained.

The pyrophoric tu e25 extends through the opening 20 and is supported perpendicu larly to the top plate by the inwardly-extending collar 24 thereabout, while a shoulder 26 thereon seats against the top plate. Pyrophoric material 27 is located in the tube and pressed b spring 28 into engagement withthe frict on wheel 29 fixed to a suitably mounted shaft 37 and having a thumb wheel 36 for manual rotation. The tension on the spring may be suitably adjusted by means of a screw 30 having threaded engagement in engagement with the tube in its position v in the top plate.

A wick tube 38 shouldered as at 39 to seat against the top plate is positioned through the opening 21 and supported by collar portions 23 thereabo'ut. Through this wick tube there extends a wick 40 which is in such close proximity to the friction wheel that sparks caused by the rotation thereof against the pyrophoric material 27 causes ignition of the Wick.

A hinge post 41 extends through the open ing 22 and is provided with a bifurcated portion or cars 42 between which is pivoted the snuifer arm 43 carrying a cap 44 to closeover the wick 40 and extinguish the same and also a guard 45 to extend over the friction wheel to protect the same from contact with the pocket as the device is carried by the user. A plunger 46 causes the square end 47 of the snufler arm to be resiliently retained in any of three desired positions according to which of its three generally right-angularly disposed surfaces are in contact therewith. This plunger is resiliently pressed into enga ement with the hinge portion of the arm y a spring 48, as will be clearly apparent.

The snulfer arm, wick and the friction.

wheel are all mounted in substantially the same line, whereby the fuel tank may be made extremely thin. In fact, I have found that by the arrangement disclosed I can make the same approximately 300 thousandths of an inch which is less than one-quarter of the width of the lighter body, which thickness is such that there is no bulk to bulge the pocket or cause any discomfort in carrying the same by the user.

By providing the collar portions extending from the top plate the pyrophoric tube, wick tube, and hinge post assume a definite relation, all perpendicular to the top plate in which position they may be readily soldered so that the hinge arm willin all assemblies of the warts properly cover the wick and guardthe friction wheel.

The foregoing description is directed solely towards the construction illustrated, but I desire it to be understood that I reserve the privilege of resorting to all the mechanical changes to which the device is susceptible, the invention being defined and limited only by the terms of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A pocket lighter comprising a fuel tank .arm hinge post extending through another of said openings, and a wick tube extending through another of said openings, the parts in each of said openings having a shoulder to engage said top plate, and each of the parts in said openings bein held in definite relation to each other by t e collars on saidplate about said openings.

2. A pocket li hter comprising a fuel tank having top and ottom plates, the top plate having an opening therein with the stock of the plate turned inwardly to form a collar portion about said opening, a pyrophoric tube extending through said opening and supported by said collar and of a length to be shorter than the tank and spaced from the bottom plate, a sleeve embracing said tube and collar and extending to said bottom plate, and a threaded member in said sleeve in the portion between said tube end and bottom plate.

3. A pocket li hter comprising a fuel tank having top and bottom plates, the top plate having an opening therein with the stock of the plate turned inwardly to form a collar portion about said opening, a pyrophoric tube extending through said opening and collar and of a length to be shorter than the tank and spaced from the bottom plate, a sleeve embracing said tube and collar to force said collar tightly into contact with said tube.

4. pocket li hter comprising a fuel tank having top and bottom plates, the top plate havingan opening therein with the stock of the plate turned inwardly to form a collar portion about said opening, a pyrophoric tube extending through said opening and collar and of a length to be shorter than the tank and spaced from the bottom plate, a sleeve in, each opening having an integral depending collar.

In testimony whereof I alfix my signature.

CHARLES H.PATTEN. 

